No blows had been struck yet, but the struggle increased until the frail structure shook and swayed.

From the crowd beneath the winner was variously addressed: "Give it back, you dog!" "Hang on to it, Tim!" "You won fair, Timmy!" "Give it back, you dirty robber!" Abuse unprintable as well as friendly advice was hurled at him.
The struggle grew more violent.

Tim's supporters strove to hold him off the floor so that his hand would still be above the grasping hands that shot up.

Once, for an instant, his arm was jerked down.

Again it went up.